Fingers in the Fence - Paw Talk

damsel911 · #1 04-19-2005, 04:35 PM

I know this has been asked a million times before, but where can I find info on what my legal rights are concerning the kids next door sticking their fingers thru the fence. We ask them umpteen times a day not to do it and the dogs go berserck. The dogs completely ignore the kids until they start sticking things thru the fence. Yesterday when asked not to stick his fingers thru the fence the little boy said "Look, I'm peeing!" and whipped it out and peed in the yard. They're foster kids and I've never seen an adult present, they just run around unsupervised in the back yard. grrr. stupid people.

kittygirl109 · #2 04-20-2005, 09:53 PM

Did you talk to these kids' parents?

You could report them if they're bad enough.

Sassy · #3 04-20-2005, 10:57 PM

Talk to the foster parents and if contnues call your local animal control and make a complaint against the kids

Chrisanne · #4 04-20-2005, 11:42 PM

I'd call the foster services too.

Gecko · #5 04-21-2005, 12:55 AM

That is terrible. I would talk to the parents first and if nothing is done then I would deffinately call the foster services. Those kids need to be supervised.

damsel911 · #6 04-21-2005, 11:27 AM

Yeah, we've talked to the parents before. Actually, I bumped into a friend of mine who's a cop after posting this and he told me to put up beware of dog signs and send them a certified letter. He even mentioned that in an effort to keep the peace we could knock on their door and concoct a lie about having had an insurance adjuster by to look at something and the adjuster happened to witness the teasing and telling us that we were required to send certified letters to our neighbors or our insurance will drop us. I don't know if it'll make a difference but it's worth a try.

damsel911 · #7 04-21-2005, 11:29 AM

Thank y'all so much for the help... it's good to know there are people out there that sympathize with us. And I wasn't sure if I should call foster services or not, but it was definately my first thought.

LoveMyStaffies · #8 04-21-2005, 12:36 PM

I would look closer into the Beware of Dog signs, they -have- been used before when put up to keep children away as proof that the owner knew the dog was predisposed to bite in some areas.
We used to keep a sign up for the same reason, but the military base we live on declared a dog (non-Bull breed) dangerous and the owner responsible on its first issue with strangers that invaded his yard -because- of the beware of dog sign they had up.
Its a touchy issue, it can used to say that the children knew better or that you knew that the dogs were 'dangerous'.
I think the larger issue here is that you have tried to speak to the foster parents before, I would send them the letter and try to speak to them again before calling Foster Services. Not that you wouldnt be right to do so, but you do have to live there no matter what DCFS decides in the end.

ninja_smurtles · #9 04-21-2005, 12:51 PM

My dogs dont bite at all but we have a really cute sign on the door with pics of each dog and it says WE GUARD HERE...
It is a good idea, it looks cute for one thing and covers you for another

Keritsubo · #10 04-22-2005, 01:04 PM

I would send them a letter like suggested and mention that you considered calling foster services. I think that'll be a wake up call that will definately get their attention.

chocolatepuppy · #11 04-22-2005, 09:57 PM

I had a similar problem last year.
http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/f95/my-dog-my-fence-the-law-20544.html
I no longer had the problem once I called and asked the dog warden what I could do to protect my dog from getting in trouble. He said to inform the mother I didn't want her child coming over to my fence and bothering my dog. Mentioning that I called the dog warden scared them, I think.
Shortly after all that mess my dog hurt her leg and has been on a leash until now. And since then Children Services has taken the child away from them.
If the child keeps coming over you could also call the cops. That's what I was advised to do. Good luck.

corgimom · #12 04-23-2005, 11:26 PM

It would probably be a good idea to contact the police department and make a formal complaint about the kids. That way if something ever does happen to the kids, you have PROOF filed with the department that you have talked to the kids about this and warned them several times not to tresspass in the dogs' territory (even if it is just fingers that are tresspassing).

For your own protection, I think it's best to have a public record that proves you've talked to them about it.

lilchris_28 · #13 04-24-2005, 02:22 AM

I would call the foster services. I worry more about the kids not being supervised. They could get seriously hurt, killed, kidnapped... It sounds like to me the foster parents are being neglegent. Maybe they have too many foster kids and just need a little help???

damsel911 · #14 04-25-2005, 11:04 AM

Thank you so much everybody! I figured everybody'd ignore this thread cuz it's such a repeat topic. & I do remember you posting on it Choclatepuppy, thanx for the link! Love the sign idea ninja! I guess I didn't think about callin the cops. & lilchris I am pretty worried about the kids not getting adequate attention, I think they need it, from what I've seen. & again, THANK YOU everybody!